Feb. 7, 2010
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Penn State men's gymnastics assistant coach and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Kevin Tan secured a roster spot on the U.S. Men's Senior National Team based on his performance at this week's 2010 Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev.
Tan and the 16 other gymnasts named to the U.S. Men's Senior National Team will be on the team through the 2010 Visa Championships in Hartford, Conn. from Aug. 11-14. Based on the Winter Cup results, 10 qualified for the team using the National Team Points System, and the remaining were selected by the Men's Program Committee from among the Winter Cup participants and athlete petitions.
In the Winter Cup Challenge finals on Saturday evening, Tan, who is still attempting to regain his top form following post-Olympic shoulder surgery, had a strong showing in his signature event, the still rings. The five-time Winter Cup still rings champion finished fourth with a score of 14.900. Tan also posted finals scores of 11.700 in the pommel horse, 13.200 in the parallel bars, and 14.400 in the high bar, a .450 improvement over his preliminary effort. Combining his scores from the two-day event, Tan tied for sixth in the high bar, seventh in the still rings, 13th in the parallel bars, and 27th in the pommel horse.
One of the United States' top rings competitor, he has assembled an impressive gymnastics resume, both nationally and internationally, since he graduated from Penn State in 2005 as a six-time All-American, four-time Big Ten champion, and two-time NCAA champion. Tan's achievements include capturing three VISA Championships rings titles, winning the rings at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, placing first in the rings at the 2007 Internationaux da France, and taking three events in a dual meet between the U.S. and Canada in 2008, in addition to being elected team captain of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and selected as the 2007 NACGC Sportsman of the Year.